10 Things to Know About Queen Isabella II of Spain

Queen Isabella II reigned in a tumultuous century for both Europe and Spain. Thrusted into politics as a toddler, she grew up to controversial monarch. Here are 10 things to know about Queen Isabella II of Spain.

Spain's Controversial Queen Isbella II

While Queen Victoria enjoyed a nation riding high in imperial glory, her contemporary in Spain found her nation in disarray, plagued by political instability. Thrust into the position at a young age, others ruled on her behalf. She  must find her position and role in the country or face dire consequences.

10 Things to Know about Queen Isabella of Castille

A woman that towered over a patriarchal society and period. Isabella of Castille transformed her Kingdom from a divided society into a great power in Europe. Her reign saw the establishment of an Empire where the sun never sets.

Isabella of Castile - the Iron Queen of Spain

Isabella gazed upon the foreign navigator in his presence pondering on the cost and rewards of this person’s proposal, crew and ships for an expedition to China, the Spice Islands and India through a journey via west. Her defined the faith of her beloved kingdom of Castille and its newly formed union with the Kingdom of Aragon.

Darius the Great - the Zenith of Persian Empire

“Darius the King says: Ahuramazda, the greatest of the gods, created me, made me king, bestowed upon me this kingdom, great, possessed of good horses, possessed of good men.” 

– Darius, Palace foundation inscription

Cambyses II and His Controversial Conquest of Egypt

Cambyses II earned his place in the hallmark of Persian history with his push eastwards into North Africa. Under his rule from 530 and 522 BCE, he pushed towards the rich and fertile lands of Egypt.

Cambyses II capturing Pharaoh Psamtik III

Founders: Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire

"Of all the powers in Asia, the kingdom of Cyrus showed itself to be the greatest and most glorious.."

- Xenophon in Cyropaedia

Patience and Resilience - Early Leaders of the Aztecs

A childhood defines an adult and the same could be said on states, countries and empires. In the case of the Aztec Empire, their early tribulations and resolve to survive shaped them into a formidable people. So, who led these Mesoamerican people during this period of formation?

Acamapichtli: The First Tlatoani of the Aztecs

Looking at the basic history of the world, why are we reading about the Aztec and not the other people? In other words, how did the Aztec achieve supremacy over other peoples? The secret lies in the decision of its early ruler Acamapichtli.

11 Rulers of the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan

The Florentine Codex in its Book 8 titled Kings and Lords listed the names and a summary of events of the 11 rulers of the Aztecs. Below are the list and the paraphrased summary from the codex.

A European map of Tenochtitlan

What does Pope Francis and a French King have in Similar?

In 2013 Pope Francis ascended as a successor of St. Peter and brought awe to many for the simplicity he brought to a position that everyone viewed as majestic and grandiose. Few centuries ago, one man also did the same for the position that held images of palaces and grandeur. How did King Louis-Philippe like Pope Francis bring an image of man of the people to his position?

10 Things to Know about King Louis-Philippe, the Last King of the French

The Citizen King, King of the French, the last King of France, titles given to Louis Philippe who ruled the continental kingdom during a tumultuous century in European history. Here are 10 things to know about him.

The Millennial King of the French Louis-Philippe

How does a rich millennial spend his life? Pampered as a child, then passionately engulfed for a cause in his teenage years, then travels the world, before undergoing maturity on or during career, after which perhaps in old age have a more conservative view like all other generations.

First King of the World: Who was Naram-Sin?

“Naram-Sin, son of Manistusu, ruled for 56 years” - an entry carved into the Sumerian King List. Naram-Sin (r. 2,255 - 2,218 BCE) ruled over the Akkadian Empire and under his rule the military threats both within and without the Empire grew. He kept his grandfather Sargon the Great’s empire intact and safe, reaching the apex of their power.

Famous image of Naram-Sin wearing a horned hat in his victory stele

Sons of Sargon the Great of Akkad

Establishing an empire is one thing, maintaining it is another. This beset the successors of Sargon the Great after their patriarch passed away, living them with history's earliest known empire. Unprecedented, Sargon's sons and grandson worked extremely hard to follow a tough act.

Akkadians battling the Sumerians (left)

World's Earliest Success Story - Who was Sargon the Great?

Sargon the Great of Akkad founded the Akkadian Empire (r. 2,334 - 2,279 BCE) defying boundaries in military tactics and administration to create a multi-lingual great power. His achievements inspired future empire-builders in the region. In modern sense, Sargon the Great is the world's first success story - from "an orphan" left adrift in a river to a forger of an empire that dominated the Mesopotamia for more than a century.

Famously called "Mask of Sargon"
but suspected to be Naram-Sin,
Sargon's grandson

Founders: Who is Emperor Leo III the Isaurian?

Emperor Leo III (r. 717 - 740) of the Byzantine Empire established the Isaurian Dynasty that ruled the Eastern Roman Empire until 802. He put an end to almost 20 years of political instability that witnessed several Emperors, coups, rebellions, monastic vows, and mutilation. He ended a turmoil, only to create a new controversy that characterized the house he had established.

Empress Irene: the Woman that Built the Holy Roman Empire

In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Imperator Romanus – Emperor of Rome. Leo’s decision to crown a new Roman Emperor despite one already existing in Constantinople stemmed from the fact that the holder of this title in the east was a woman – Irene of Athens. But who was this female Emperor who ruled one of the most powerful and prestigious Empires in the Middle Ages?

Woodcut Illustration of Empress Irene (in the left) and Charlemagne (in the right), from Penn Provenance Project, CC by 2.0

How Great was Charlemagne?

Charlemagne or Charles the Great in French became a legendary icon for Europe. Even being dubbed as "Father of Europe," many countries credit him for setting their roots. But what made Charlemagne the Great?

Who was King Premsyl Ottokar II?

“Rolls to the ocean: Ottokar his name:

Who in his swaddling clothes was of more worth

Than Wenceslaus his son, a bearded man,

Pampered with rank luxuriousness and ease.”

- Canto VII in Dante's Purgatorio

In 1278, a King laid dying on the battlefield with him passed away the hopes of a Bohemian Empire covering much of central Europe and all the way down to the Adriatic Sea. King Premysl Ottokar II built an empire by seizing opportunities from deaths and marriages. Nevertheless, his luck finally ran out in face of a growing ambitious house that came to dominate the region – the Habsburgs.